no records concerning the size of the Chapel or its builders.
Ministers serving Stanhope from York, which was set off as a separate circuit in 1855, include the Rev. Matthew Rickey, a very popular preacher; the Rev. Messrs. William MacDonald, William Dawson, G. Steele and J .B. Strong, who established Methodist Sunday Schools on the Island.
From The Wesleyan, March 24, 1882, we learn the following: The Methodists of Stanhope are contemplating the erection of a new church during the coming summer, to take the place of their present dilapidated building.
Originally it was planned to move the church, to land nearer the centre of Stanhope, owned by Duncan MacLauchlan. However, it was found to be in such bad repair that it was demolished, and the timbers were used on the Alexander farm. A new church was therefore built on Duncan MacLauchlan’s land. The trustees signing the indenture for the conveyance of this land on Jan. 15, 1883 were: George Alexander, William Auld, Cornelius Higgins, John Benjamin Hughes, James Golding Hughes, George Auld, Charles Lemuel Bovyer, Thomas Gurney and David Lawson; the cost of one eighth of an acre was $15.00.
More from The Wesleyan: August 11, 1882 — The Methodists at Stanhope and Covehead are building a new church on Duncan MacLauchlan’s farm. The old building was too dilapidated to repair, hence the new house. Already the building is rough-boarded and the roof shingled
November 24, 1882 — The new church at Stanhope is rapidly approaching completion. Already it has been plastered, and the outside has received a first coat of paint. Standing on an excellent site, the building presents a pleasing appearance. It is intended to open for public worship sometime in December. And from the History of Methodism by Dr. Johnson: A new church was dedicated at Stanhope and Covehead in 1883, the preachers being the Revs. H.P. Cowperth- waite, J.S. Allen and G. Steel, the pastor. From the memory of some senior citizens this church would appear to have been very similar in design to the present Stanhope United Church, but smaller. There was an outside porch at the main door, and two pointed windows on each side; there were an organ, a wood stove and kerosene lamps for light.
As mentioned above, George Steele was the minister at York at this time, and the York circuit consisted of York, Union Road, Brackley Point, Pleasant Grove, Royalty East and Stanhope. George Alexander was the Stanhope leader in 1884.
As the Methodist population continued to shift inland from the shore, the church was moved in 1914, this time to land owed by Alex
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